TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2018 /CNW/ - It started with one wish, 35 years ago.
In 1983, BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver introduced a wonderful group of individuals to a 13-year-old girl named Debbie with leukemia, who wished to visit her grandparents in Germany. Using their own money, the group helped grant her wish. Shortly after returning to Canada, Debbie passed away. In her memory and with the heartwarming completion of their first wish as inspiration, this small group of friends grew into the first Canadian chapter of Make-A-Wish® Canada.
Make-A-Wish® Today
With the generous help of volunteers, donors, supporters and staff, Make-A-Wish Canada has granted close to 7,500 wishes to children with critical illnesses in communities across the country since its inception. More than 600 wishes were granted in 2017 alone.
"A wish-come-true has an enormous impact on a child, their family and community," says Jennifer Klotz-Ritter, president & CEO, Make-A-Wish Canada. "Because Make-A-Wish is an international organization, together with our global reach, we're able to grant almost any wish a child can imagine. Each experience is tailored to each individual child, includes their immediate family and is free from financial obligations. For many, a wish is a significant turning point that provides a much-needed reprieve from hospital rooms and doctor's visits. It's uplifting and empowering. For several children, a wish is the very best kind of medicine. We give thanks to those who help make this possible."
A wish complements a child's treatment protocol, making the experience an integral part of their medical journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their critical illness. According to the results of a 2011-2013 Wish Impact Study, 71 per cent of wish children who are now adults believe the wish experience helped save their life.
Annie's dream to speak at WE Day is a great example of how wishes can transform and change lives. Read more about Annie's wish and watch her inspiring video.
Get Involved
This year, join Make-A-Wish in its mission to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Whether you choose to volunteer with your local chapter, host an engaging fundraising event or make a donation, your efforts go a long way in helping Canadian children at a time when they need it most. Click here to find ways you can support Make-A-Wish Canada.
Rope for Hope
Make-A-Wish® Rope for Hope is back for another adrenaline-pumping season of thrilling events from coast to coast.
Last year, almost $1.3 million was raised thanks to some very generous (and brave) supporters; more than $5 million has been raised since the event launched in 2012.
Rex Hagon, a member of team Toronto Climbers, raised over $11,500, making him the top individual fundraiser in Canada for 2017. Make-A-Wish would like to recognize and congratulate the entire team, for raising more than $63,800 in support of the Toronto Rope for Hope event. Their extraordinary efforts named them the top fundraising team across all Rope for Hope events in Canada.
Congratulations to Patty Blais, member of The Dream Team at Rope for Hope Edmonton. Patty raised more than $3,500 and is the winner of the 2017 National Fundraising Contest draw for an incredible one-week getaway for two to Costa Rica, courtesy of WestJet and Monograms, part of the Globus family of brands.
Make-A-Wish would also like to congratulate our social media contest winner, Jolene von Hollen, wish mom and Rope for Hope team captain of Sawyer's Super Squad from Red Deer. Jolene won a Sony Action Cam for sharing an Instagram post about the event and what it means to her.
Make-A-Wish acknowledges and thanks National Presenting Sponsor, Canadian Western Bank (CWB) with National Leasing, for its sponsorship of Rope for Hope over the last three years. CWB and National Leasing have played an instrumental role in helping to grow the event across Canada and sharing the power of the Make-A-Wish mission. Make-A-Wish is grateful for their generosity and their part in helping to grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. A very special thank you also goes out to Captivate, WestJet Cares for Kids, Monograms, BioSteel and local supporters.
Whether it's a lifelong goal, an opportunity to face your fear of heights, or simply the chance to participate in an epic experience while making a significant impact, Rope for Hope is the event for you.
2018 registration is now open and FREE for a limited time. Sign up today.
ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH® CANADA
Make-A-Wish® creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child's wish to life, because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness.
Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is the world's leading children's wish-granting organization, serving children in every community in Canada, and in 50 countries worldwide. Together, generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 1,100 volunteers across the country grant more than one wish per day on average. Since 1983, Make-A-Wish Canada has granted close to 7,500 wishes across the country; more than 600 last year alone. For more information about Make-A-Wish Canada, visit makeawish.ca.
SOURCE Make-A-Wish Canada
Make-A-Wish Canada, 4211 Yonge Street, Suite 520, Toronto, Ontario M2P 2A9, Canada; MEDIA CONTACT: Deborah Waines-Bauer at [email protected] or +1 888.822.9474 ext. 6111
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